Fractal Design ARC XL Review

Fractal Design ARC XL Introduction:

Today we take a look at Fractal Design ARC XL full tower, which marks the first product review of a Fractal Design case here at OverclockersClub. Fractal Design is a Swedish based company that has popped up in North America this past year. It has been steadily growing while moving into the power supply and computer case markets. Currently priced at $129.99, it's the largest chassis under the Fractal Design ARC series. Fractal Design falls right in the middle of the competition compared to other full towers price-wise. So far I have heard nothing but good things about this company, so let's see what all the fuss is about.

Fractal Design ARC XL Closer Look:

Let's look at the box! It's important to remember not everyone has things shipped to their home or know exactly what they want. When it is shipped, it's often squashed and bounced around. This is why companies need to protect their product. If a customer is checking it out at the store, the company also should provide a good deal of information on the outside. So here we have it, a simple brown box with the brand and model number in giant letters. Each side of the box is different and you will need to turn the box around to see everything that is written. The front is an accurate ink outline of the chassis. One side lists specifications for different configurations, which is also listed on page five. On the opposite side is a small ink outline of the inside of the chassis with the serial number and barcode. Lastly the back has a blown out diagram of the computer chassis with a list of eight majors features the chassis has to offer. These include features like multiple hard drive bays, and USB 3.0 and advance water cooling support, each written in English, German, French, and Spanish.

Once the box is open we are able to take a peek at the packaging. The case is held in place with the standard Styrofoam on the side. Normally that would be enough for a light chassis, but this one is a bit heavier weighing in at 30lbs (13.8kg). As you can see in the picture below, the box has a bit of a bend in the middle. Nothing was damaged but maybe Fractal Design can add something on the sides to avoid a potential issue. Removing it from the box wasn't an issue; it came out smooth enough.